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Recent Examples of headsman
Two other men, subjects of excellent Holbein drawings in the show, would keep appointments with the headsman.
—
Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2022
Even if your reality is the headsman’s block!
—Helen Shaw, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2021
Once upon a time, the queen could have sent rebels to the Tower and the headsman’s block, even relatives—especially relatives.
—Matt Seaton, The New York Review of Books, 9 Mar. 2021
The British prime minister has assembled a trio of headsmen to sever Britain from the mainland.
—Vanityfair.com, VanityFair.com, 22 Mar. 2017
Several other leading figures of the period ended their days on the executioner’s block, including the unhappy Comte de Chalais, whose headsman bungled the job and ended up frantically chopping away at his screaming victim with a small hatchet.
—David A. Bell, Foreign Affairs, 1 Mar. 2012
Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2022
Even if your reality is the headsman’s block!
—Helen Shaw, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2021
Once upon a time, the queen could have sent rebels to the Tower and the headsman’s block, even relatives—especially relatives.
—Matt Seaton, The New York Review of Books, 9 Mar. 2021
The British prime minister has assembled a trio of headsmen to sever Britain from the mainland.
—Vanityfair.com, VanityFair.com, 22 Mar. 2017
Several other leading figures of the period ended their days on the executioner’s block, including the unhappy Comte de Chalais, whose headsman bungled the job and ended up frantically chopping away at his screaming victim with a small hatchet.
—David A. Bell, Foreign Affairs, 1 Mar. 2012
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headsman
Noun
-
Figures are unavailable for China, which keeps most executions secret but is widely believed to be the world’s leading executioner.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
2 Jan. 2026
-
When Netflix chooses to cover a case, its version may be the only one that survives in a court of public opinion where the service is judge, jury, and executioner.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
5 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The classic effigy comes with a free hangman’s noose or lasso.—
Jack Handey,
New Yorker,
17 Nov. 2025
-
Eleven white men stood on the gallows with him—the hangman, the trigger-puller, officers of the law, the priest.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Branca is also producing the biopic with John McClain as the co-executors of Jackson’s estate.—
Kelsie Gibson,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Graham King, who produced Bohemian Rhapsody, serves as producer alongside Branca and John McClain, co-executors of the Jackson estate.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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However, this theory was later debunked when Edgar Patino, a married man who had impregnated Touma, was found to be her murderer, according to authorities.—
Mason Leath,
ABC News,
7 Nov. 2025
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Marissa, who doesn't want to live happily ever after with a kidnapper, liar, and murderer, sure does.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Headsman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headsman. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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